[Physical activity--what minimal level is sufficient seen from health perspective?]

Physical inactivity represents an important risk factor for development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease and is tightly coupled to a reduced energy expenditure both at work and during leisure activities. Although comprehensive physical training is known to influence oxygen uptake capacity, muscle strength and metabolic factors, also increased weekly energy expenditure achieved through activities with moderate intensity will influence risk factors such as hypertension, insulin resistance, oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle and a low HDL/total cholesterol ratio beneficially and improve metabolic fitness. To achieve this, all adults should aim at a total of 30 min of moderate physical activity daily, preferentially through activities that can be a natural part of daily living (walking, cycling or gardening). This recommendation can also be achieved through accumulation of several minor activity periods of 5-10 min each. Further increase in amount or intensity of physical activity above the minimal recommendations improves the morbidity preventive effect further, although several risk factors show a curvelinear and levelling-off pattern of their dosis-response curve between training and risk factors.